Family: Pelobatidae, Spadefoot Toads view all from this family

Description 2 1/4-3 1/2" (5.7-8.9 cm). A plump toad with elongated, sickle-shaped spade on each hind foot and no hump between eyes. External eardrum apparent. Skin smooth, but with many minute light-colored tubercles. Bright greenish-yellow to brown with variable dark marbling. Belly mostly white.

Voice   Like the bleat of a lamb; lasts about 1 second. Very noisy chorus can be heard for a long way.

Breeding Mates after heavy rainfall, April to September. Eggs are laid on plant stems in temporary pools and, if the spot is warm, may hatch in 36 hours. Tadpoles transform in 2-6 weeks, before pools dry up.

Habitat Tolerant of dry terrain; likes shortgrass prairie as well as mesquite savannah and creosote bush desert.

Range Extreme se. California, s. Arizona and New Mexico, and sw. Oklahoma south into Mexico.

Discussion Nocturnal. During dry periods this toad stays underground in the burrow of a small mammal or buried in loose soil.